FCTA Restates Commitment To Eradicating Tropical Diseases

By Florence Adewale

The FCT Administration, in collaboration with other partners, have reiterated their commitment to eradicating tropical diseases prevalent in the Territory.

The FCT Coordinator of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Dr. Eunice Ogundipe, stated that the administration has discovered that awareness of disease prevention is low in the FCT, contributing to the high burden of elephantiasis and other diseases in the Territory.

According to her, the FCT administration has set aside drugs for deworming and other preventive measures, to be given to residents free to help the Territory rid itself of these neglected life-threatening diseases.

Flagging the 2023 free deworming exercise in Wuse, Abuja, the Mandate Secretary of Health, FCTA, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, explained that FCTA was working towards addressing factors associated with poverty prevalence in areas with poor sanitation, inadequate or lack of safe water sources, and substandard housing conditions, which are described as the root causes of neglected tropical diseases.

Represented by Dr Teresa Nwachukwu, the FCT Epidemiologist, the Mandate Secretary, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe explained that the control strategy employed by government to prevent these diseases, reduce its spread and eradicate it, is tagged, “Mass Administration of Medicines”.

According to Dr. Fasade, “It is usually carried out Once in a year with the free treatment of community members using Ivermectzin, Prazinquantel and Albendazole tablets. The logic behind this annual treatment of community members is to ameliorate the problems associated with these diseases. The FCT NTDs unit is covering 559 Communities in the FCT for the treatment, we are gathered here today to kick-start this year’s annual treatment for Onchocercia”.

Other partners at the occasion, including Health and Development Support, pledged continuous support to ensure Nigerians are safe from preventable diseases.

Edited By Grace Namiji